Previous Section | Home Page |
Financial year |£ million --------------------------------------------- 1982-83 |1 1983-84 |2 1984-85 |5 1985-86 |8 1986-87 |22 1987-88 |41
The receipt for 1982-83 was surrendered to the Exchequer. All subsequent receipts have been deployed by LDDC to regenerate docklands.
Mr. Malcolm Bruce : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the sites in England and Wales where chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants can be either safely disposed of or recycled.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : Both United Kingdom manufacturers of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) offer a reprocessing service to their customers. ICI has recently announced a major extension to its Europeanwide scheme for recovery and recycling of CFC refrigerants. Once techniques for the safe destruction of CFCs have been identified and approved under the terms of the Montreal protocol, the question of providing disposal facilities can be addressed more fully.
Mr. Heddle : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to extend his Department's Estate Action scheme to housing associations and housing societies.
Mr. Trippier : No. Funds for the improvement or repair of registered housing association stock are made available by the Housing Corporation within its annual development programme approved by Ministers. For the future, rent deregulation will progressively enable associations to provide for repair work out of their own income and to raise private finance for other projects.
Mr. Cohen : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has made a study of the implications for the commercial opportunities associated
Column 566
with the football membership scheme of a decision by individuals to opt out of having their names and address on various mailing lists, and of the percentage of opt-ins necessary to maintain these opportunities ; and if he will make a statement.Mr. Allen : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what investigations his Department is undertaking into the use of the chemicals lindane and pentachlorophenol for wood preservative treatment and its effects upon bats ; and if he will make a statement.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : The Department of the Environment is one of six responsible for approving all pesticides, including wood preservatives, under the Control of Pesticides Regulations. Following the advice of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides, all timber treatment products containing lindane must be labelled as "DANGEROUS TO BATS". Because of concern about the effects of wood preservatives on bats, Departments have asked the advisory committee to consider the issue further and a sub-group has been set out to advise on appropriate action. Its report is awaited.
Sir Eldon Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if cost/benefit considerations are or can be taken into account by the local government boundaries commission before it makes recommendations for county boundary changes ; and what steps he is taking to analyse the costs of such changes before reaching his own conclusions.
Mr. Gummer : Neither the Commission nor my right hon. Friend is specifically required to take account of the cost of proposed boundary changes, or to quantify expected benefits. By the Local Government Act 1972, however, the commission's proposals and, thus, my right hon. Friend's decisions, must be
"in the interests of effective and convenient local government". This criterion must include a very broad range of social and economic factors, and their effects over the longer term as well as the short term. Assessment may be helped if such factors can be quantified. The commission has therefore initiated research to find out how far such analysis is feasible.
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the European Economic Community directives on the disposal of hazardous and toxic wastes that have been implemented by the United Kingdom.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : The United Kingdom has implemented the following European Economic Community directives on the disposal of hazardous and toxic wastes :
Directive 75/439/EEC on the disposal of waste oils
Directive 76/403/EEC on the disposal of PCBs and PCTs
Directive 78/319/EEC on toxic and dangerous waste
Column 567
In addition, directive 84/631/EEC on the supervision and control of transfrontier shipment of hazardous waste has been implemented in respect of Great Britain. It is expected to be implemented in respect of Northern Ireland next month.Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to fund research into the role that incineration can play in the safe disposal of used disposable nappies and sanitary towels and tampons.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : The Government already support research into incineration as a safe means of disposal of domestic wastes of which nappies and sanitary products form a very small part.
Mr. Gordon Brown : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was (a) the total number of grants paid and (b) the total cost of grants, under the home insulation scheme for each year from the inception of the scheme.
Mr. Trippier : Numbers and amounts of grants paid under the homes insulation scheme for 1978 to 1986 appear in table 7.7 of "Housing and Construction Statistics, 1977-1987" ; figures for 1987 and the first three quarters of 1988 are published in table 2.21(a) of "Housing and Construction Statistics", part 2, volume 35. Copies are available in the Library.
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what papers and what representation his Department will have at the conference on radioactive waste management at the Gloucester hotel, London on 22 and 23 February.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : The Department will not be represented at this conference.
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on progress in the Commission of the European Community's performance assessment of geologic isolation systems project on heat generating high level radioactive waste.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley [holding answer 17 February 1989] : The studies have been completed. Reports are being prepared and will be reviewed at an international symposium in June 1989.
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on progress in the Commission of the European Community's performance assessments of confinement of medium active wastes study.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley [holding answer 17 February 1989] : Satisfactory progress is being made and the study will end in June 1989. I understand the Commission of the European Community intends to publish the results of the study as soon as practicable after this date.
Column 568
Ms. Ruddock : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many prosecutions have taken place under section 3 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 ; and how many have been successful.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : There have been 720 prosecutions between the time section 3 came into effect in 1976 and the end of 1987. A total of 531 have been successful.
Dr. Cunningham : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the next annual "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics" ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Ridley : Publication of the next annual "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics" is planned for 24 February. An associated departmental information bulletin will be issued as with previous issues and a copy of the digest will be deposited in the House of Commons Library.
Mr. Maclennan : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from English Heritage concerning the archaeological discovery of the Elizabethan Rose theatre in Southwark ; and if he will make a statement.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : None so far. Imry Merchant Properties, which has been granted planning permission by the London borough of Southwark for an office development, has allowed the Museum of London time and provided equipment and funds for archaeological evaluation of the site. It was in the course of this evaluation work that the recent finds were made, which English Heritage officials have confirmed are likely to be those of the Elizabethan Rose theatre. Consultation between English Heritage, the Museum of London, and the developers are continuing with a view to allowing further archaeological evaluations. The extent of the finds may however be limited as much of the site is likely to have been affected by earlier development. This is a good example of voluntary co- operation between developers, archaeologists and English Heritage.
Mr. Greg Knight : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will announce the results of the survey of bathing water quality made in 1988 ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Howard : The results of the survey carried out during the 1988 bathing season show that 67 per cent. of our bathing waters in England, Wales and Northern Ireland met the mandatory coliform bacteria standards of the EC bathing water directive. This represents a significant improvement over 1987 when, measured on the same basis, only 55 per cent. of our waters met these standards.
Since 1987, we have tightened the way in which we monitor and assess compliance with the directive in order
Column 569
to put the figures on a consistent basis with those produced by the European Commission for all member states. For this reason, the 1988 results are not directly comparable with those announced last May for 1987, by my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, East (Mr. Moynihan).Measured on the new basis, 254 of the 380 bathing waters in England, Northern Ireland and Wales met the directive's mandatory coliform bacteria standards during the 1988 bathing season. This compares with 206 out of 370 waters (55 per cent.) in 1987, and only 184 out of 358 waters (51 per cent.) in 1986, measured on the same basis. These figures are encouraging and show that we are continuing to make good progress in cleaning up our bathing waters, mainly as a result of the major programmes of capital expenditure by water authorities in renewing sewers in coastal towns and constructing long sea outfalls. We attach a high priority to bringing all our remaining bathing waters up to EC standards, and are discussing with water authorities how to accelerate these programmes. In 1989-90, water authorities expect to spend about £100 million on schemes to improve bathing waters.
The 1988 results are set out in the tables in summary form. I shall arrange for a more detailed summary of the results to be placed in the Library.
|c|Bathing Waters Survey-1988 Results (England, Wales and|c| |c|Northern Ireland)|c| |c|Compliance with Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC): Coliform|c| |c|standards|c| |Pass |Fail |Total --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Northumbrian Water Authority |9 |10 |19 Yorkshire Water Authority |21 |1 |22 Anglian Water Authority |19 |9 |28 Thames Water Authority |0 |2 |2 Southern Water Authority |27 |38 |65 Wessex Water Authority (South Coast) |26 |1 |27 South West Water Authority |92 |17 |109 Wessex Water Authority (Bristol Channel) |4 |7 |11 Welsh Water Authority |37 |11 |48 North West Water Authority |6 |27 |33 Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland |14 |2 |16 |-- |-- |-- Total |255 |125 |380
|c|Bathing waters survey-1988 results|c| |c|(England, Wales and Northern Ireland)|c| |c|Compliance with Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC): Coliform|c| |c|standards|c| 1987 1988 |Published result |Reworked result (95 per|Result |cent. rule) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Northumbrian Water Authority Spittal |Fail |Fail |Fail Bamburgh/Seahouses |Pass |Pass |Pass Beadnell |Pass |Pass |Pass Low Newton |Pass |Pass |Pass Alnmouth |Fail |Fail |Pass Warkworth |Pass |Pass |Pass Druridge Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Newbiggin |Fail |Fail |Fail South Beach/Seaton Sluice |Pass |Pass |Fail Whitley Bay |Pass |Pass |Fail Tynemouth |Pass |Fail |Pass South Shields |Pass |Fail |Pass Marsden |Fail |Fail |Fail Roker/Whitburn |Fail |Fail |Fail Seaham |Fail |Fail |Fail Crimdon |Fail |Fail |Fail Seaton Carew |Fail |Fail |Fail Redcar |Fail |Fail |Pass Saltburn |Fail |Fail |Fail Yorkshire Water Authority Staithes |Pass |Pass |Pass Runswick Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Sandsend |Pass |Pass |Pass Whitby |Pass |Pass |Pass Robin Hoods Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Scarborough North Bay |Pass |Fail |Pass Scarborough South Bay |Fail |Fail |Pass Cayton Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Filey |Pass |Pass |Pass Reighton |Pass |Pass |Pass Flamborough North Landing |Pass |Pass |Pass Flamborough South Landing |Pass |Pass |Fail Bridlington North Beach |Pass |Pass |Pass Bridlington South Beach |Pass |Pass |Pass Wilsthorpe |Pass |Pass |Pass Fraisthorpe |Pass |Pass |Pass Earls Dyke |Pass |Pass |Pass Barmston |Pass |Pass |Pass Skipsea |Pass |Pass |Pass Hornsea |Pass |Pass |Pass Tunstall |Pass |Pass |Pass Withernsea |Fail |Fail |Pass Anglian Water Authority Cleethorpes |Fail |Fail |Fail Mablethorpe Town |Fail |Fail |Pass Sutton-on-sea |Fail |Fail |Fail Moggs Eye |Pass |Pass |Pass Anderby |Pass |Pass |Pass Chapel St. Leonard |Fail |Fail |Pass Ingoldmells South |Fail |Fail |Pass Skegness |Pass |Pass |Pass Heacham |Pass |Pass |Fail Hunstanton Beach |Pass |Pass |Fail Wells |Pass |Fail |Pass Sheringham |Fail |Fail |Fail Cromer |Fail |Fail |Fail Mundesley |Pass |Pass |Pass Great Yarmouth North |Pass |Fail |Pass Great Yarmouth Pier |Pass |Fail |Fail Great Yarmouth South |Pass |Fail |Fail Lowestoft North |Pass |Pass |Pass Lowestoft South |Pass |Pass |Pass Felixstowe North |Pass |Pass |Pass Felixstowe South |Pass |Pass |Pass Dovercourt |Fail |Fail |Fail Walton |Fail |Fail |Pass Frinton |Pass |Pass |Pass Holland |Pass |Fail |Pass Clacton |Pass |Fail |Pass Jaywick |Pass |Pass |Pass Brightlingsea |Fail |Fail |Pass Thames Water Authority Southend Thorpe Bay |Fail |Fail |Fail Southend Westcliff Bay |Fail |Fail |Fail Southern Water Authority Leysdown |Pass |Fail |Pass West Beach |Pass |Pass |Pass Herne Bay |Fail |Fail |Fail Minnis Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass St. Mildred's Bay |Fail |Fail |Pass Margate The Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Margate Fulsam Rock |Pass |Fail |Pass Joss Bay |Fail |Fail |Fail Broadstairs |Fail |Fail |Fail Ramsgate |Fail |Fail |Fail Sandwich Bay |Fail |Fail |Fail Deal Castle |Fail |Fail |Fail St. Margaret's Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Folkestone |Fail |Fail |Fail Sandgate |Fail |Fail |Fail Hythe |Fail |Fail |Fail Dymchurch |Fail |Fail |Fail St. Mary's Bay |Fail |Fail |Fail Littlestone |Pass |Fail |Fail Camber |Fail |Fail |Pass Winchelsea |Pass |Pass |Pass Hastings |Fail |Fail |Fail Bexhill |Pass |Pass |Pass Norman's Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Pevensey Bay |Fail |Fail |Pass Eastbourne |Pass |Pass |Pass Seaford |Fail |Fail |Fail Newhaven |Fail |Fail |Fail Saltdean |Pass |Pass |Pass Brighton |Pass |Fail |Fail Hove |Fail |Fail |Fail Southwick |Fail |Fail |Fail South Lancing |Fail |Fail |Fail Worthing |Fail |Fail |Fail Littlehampton |Fail |Fail |Fail Middleton-on-sea |Pass |Fail |Fail Bognor Regis |Pass |Pass |Pass Pagham |Pass |Pass |Fail Selsey |Fail |Fail |Fail Bracklesham Bay |Pass |Fail |Pass West Wittering |Pass |Pass |Pass West of Eastoke |Pass |Pass |Pass West Hayling |Pass |Pass |Pass Eastney |Pass |Pass |Fail Southsea |Pass |Fail |Fail Stokes Bay |Pass |Fail |Pass Lee-on-Solent |Pass |Pass |Pass Calshot |Pass |Fail |Fail Lepe |Pass |Pass |Pass Milford-on-sea |Fail |Fail |Fail Christchurch Bay |Pass |Pass |Fail Highcliffe |Pass |Pass |Pass Compton Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Totland Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Colwell Bay |Pass |Pass |Fail Gurnard |Fail |Fail |Fail Cowes |Pass |Fail |Fail Ryde |Fail |Fail |Fail Seagrove |Pass |Pass |Fail St. Helens |Pass |Fail |Fail Bembridge |Fail |Fail |Fail Whitecliff Bay |Pass |Pass |Fail Sandown |Pass |Pass |Pass Shanklin |Pass |Fail |Pass Ventnor |Pass |Fail |Fail Wessex Water Authority (South Coast) Christchurch, Highcliffe Castle |Pass |Pass |Pass Christchurch, Avon Beach |Fail |Fail |Fail Christchurch, Mudeford Sandbank |Pass |Pass |Pass Bournemouth Hengistbury |Pass |Pass |Pass Bournemouth Pier |Pass |Pass |Pass Poole, Shore Road Sandbanks |Pass |Pass |Pass Poole Harbour Sandbanks |Pass |Pass |Pass Poole Harbour Lake |Pass |Pass |Pass Poole Harbour, Rockley Sands |Pass |Pass |Pass Shell Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Studland |Pass |Fail |Pass Swanage |Pass |Pass |Pass Kimmeridge Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Lulworth Cove |Pass |Pass |Pass Durdle Door East |Pass |Pass |Pass Durdle Door West |Pass |Pass |Pass Ringstead |Pass |Pass |Pass Bowleaze Cove |Pass |Pass |Pass Church Ope Cove |Pass |Pass |Pass Weymouth, Lodmoor |Pass |Pass |Pass Weymouth, Central |Pass |Pass |Pass Portland Harbour, Castle Cove |Pass |Pass |Pass Portland Harbour, Sandsfood Castle |Pass |Pass |Pass West Bay (west) |Pass |Pass |Pass Eypemouth |Pass |Pass |Pass Seatown |Pass |Pass |Pass Charmouth West |Pass |Pass |Pass South West Water Authority Lyme Regis |Pass |Fail |Fail Seaton (Devon) |Pass |Fail |Pass Beer |Pass |Pass |Pass Sidmouth |Pass |Pass |Pass Ladram Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Budleigh Salterton |Fail |Fail |Pass Sandy Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Exmouth |Pass |Pass |Pass Dawlish Warren |Pass |Pass |Pass Dawlish |Pass |Pass |Pass Teignmouth |Fail |Fail |Pass Shaldon |Pass |Fail |Fail Ness Cove |Pass |Pass |Pass Maidencombe |Pass |Pass |Pass Watcombe |Pass |Pass |Pass Oddicombe |Pass |Pass |Pass Babbacombe |Pass |Pass |Pass Redgate |Pass |Pass |Pass Meadfoot |Pass |Pass |Pass Beacon Cove |Pass |Pass |Pass Torre Abbey |Pass |Pass |Pass Hollicombe |Pass |Pass |Pass Paignton |Pass |Pass |Fail Goodrington |Fail |Fail |Pass Broadsands |Pass |Pass |Pass Shoalstone |Pass |Pass |Pass St. Mary's Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Dartmouth Castle and Sugary Cove |Pass |Pass |Pass Blackpool Sands |Pass |Pass |Pass Slapton Sands |Pass |Pass |Pass Mill Bay |Pass |Fail |Pass Salcombe North Sands |Pass |Pass |Pass Salcombe South Sands |Pass |Pass |Fail Hope Cove |Pass |Pass |Pass Thurlestone |Fail |Fail |Fail Bantham |Pass |Pass |Pass Bigbury-on-sea |Pass |Pass |Pass Challaborough |Pass |Fail |Pass Mothecombe |Pass |Pass |Pass Wembury |Pass |Fail |Pass Bovisand |Pass |Pass |Pass Plymouth Hoe |Pass |Fail |Fail Portwrinkle |Fail |Fail |Pass Downderry |Pass |Fail |Pass Seaton (Cornwall) |Pass |Fail |Fail Millendreath |Pass |Pass |Pass East Looe |Pass |Pass |Pass Readymoney |Fail |Fail |Pass Polkerris |Pass |Fail |Pass Par |Pass |Pass |Pass Crinnis |Pass |Pass |Pass Charlestown & Duporth |Pass |Fail |Fail Porthpean |Pass |Pass |Pass Pentewan |Fail |Fail |Fail Polstreath |Pass |Pass |Pass Port Mellon |Pass |Pass |Pass Gorran Haven |Pass |Fail |Pass Porthluney |Pass |Pass |Pass Pendower |Pass |Pass |Pass Gyllyngvase |Pass |Fail |Pass Swanpool |Pass |Fail |Pass Maen Porth |Pass |Fail |Pass Porthallow |Fail |Fail |Fail Porthoustock |Pass |Pass |Pass Coverack |Pass |Pass |Pass Kennack Sands |Pass |Pass |Pass Pollurian Cove |Pass |Pass |Pass Poldhu Cove |Pass |Pass |Pass Gunwalloe Cove |Pass |Pass |Pass Porthleven |Pass |Fail |Fail Praa Sands |Pass |Pass |Pass Perran Sands |Pass |Pass |Pass Marazion and Mounts Bay |Fail |Fail |Fail Porthcurno |Pass |Pass |Pass Sennen |Pass |Pass |Pass Porthmeor |Pass |Pass |Pass Porth Gwidden |Pass |Pass |Fail Porthminster |Pass |Pass |Pass Carbis Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass The Towans |Pass |Pass |Pass Portreath |Pass |Pass |Pass Porthtowan |Pass |Pass |Pass Trevaunance Cove |Pass |Fail |Pass Perranporth |Pass |Fail |Pass Holywell Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Crantock |Pass |Pass |Pass Fistral |Pass |Pass |Pass Towan |Pass |Pass |Pass Watergate |Pass |Pass |Pass Mawgan Porth |Pass |Fail |Pass Treyarnon Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Constantine Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Mother Ivey's Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Harlyn Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Trevone Bay |Pass |Fail |Fail Rock |Pass |Fail |Pass Daymer Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Polzeath |Pass |Pass |Pass Widemouth Sand |Pass |Pass |Pass Bude |Fail |Fail |Fail Hartland Quay |Pass |Pass |Pass Westward Ho |Pass |Pass Instow |Fail |Fail |Fail Saunton Sands |Pass |Pass |Pass Croyde Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Woolacombe |Pass |Pass |Pass Ilfracombe |Fail |Fail |Pass Coombe Martin |Pass |Fail |Fail Lynmouth |Fail |Fail |Pass Wessex Water Authority (Bristol Channel) Porlock Weir |Pass |Fail |Pass Minehead Terminus |Fail |Fail |Fail Dunster North West |Fail |Fail |Fail Blue Anchor West |Pass |Fail |Pass Burnham Jetty |Fail |Fail |Fail Berrow |Pass |Pass |Fail Brean |Pass |Pass |Pass Weston-Super-Mare, Uphill Slipway |Pass |Pass |Fail Weston-Super-Mare, Grand Pier |Fail |Fail |Fail Weston-Super-Mare, Sand Bay |Pass |Fail |Pass Clevedon Swimming Pool |Fail |Fail |Fail North West Water Authority Meols |Pass |Fail |Pass Moreton |Pass |Pass |Pass New Brighton |Pass |Pass |Pass Formby |Pass |Pass |Fail Ainsdale |Pass |Fail |Fail Southport |Fail |Fail |Fail St. Annes |Fail |Fail |Fail St. Annes North |<1>Fail |<1>Fail |Fail Blackpool South |Fail |Fail |Fail Blackpool Central |Fail |Fail |Fail Blackpool North |Fail |Fail |Fail Bispham |Fail |Fail |Fail Cleveleys |Fail |Fail |Fail Fleetwood |Fail |Fail |Fail Heysham, Half Moon Bay |Fail |Fail |Fail Morecambe South No survey Fail Morecambe North No survey Fail Bardsea |Fail |Fail |Fail Aldingham |<1>Fail |<1>Fail |Fail Newbiggin |<1>Pass |<1>Fail |Fail Walney, Biggar Bank |Pass |Pass |Pass Walney, Sandy Gap |Pass |Fail |Pass Walney, West Shore |Pass |Fail |Fail Roan Head |Pass |Fail |Fail Askam-in-Furness No survey Fail Haverigg |Fail |Fail |Fail Silecroft |Pass |Pass |Pass Seascale |Fail |Fail |Fail St. Bees No survey Fail Allonby South |<1>Pass |<1>Fail |Fail Allonby |Pass |Fail |Fail Silloth |Pass |Pass |Fail Skinburness |<1>Fail |<1>Fail |Fail Welsh Water Authority Jacksons Bay Barry |Fail |Fail |Fail Whitmore Bay Barry |Fail |Fail |Fail Cold Knap Barry |Fail |Fail |Fail Southerndown |Pass |Pass |Fail Trecco Bay Porthcawl |Fail |Fail |Pass Sandy Bay Porthcawl |Fail |Fail |Fail Rest Bay Porthcawl |Pass |Pass |Pass Aberafan |Pass |Pass |Pass Swansea Bay |Fail |Fail |Fail Bracelet Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Limeslade Bay |Fail |Fail |Pass Langland Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Caswell Bay |Fail |Fail |Pass Oxwich Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Port Eynon Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Rhossili |Pass |Pass |Pass Pembrey |Pass |Pass |Pass Pendine |Pass |Pass |Pass Amroth |Fail |Fail |Pass Saundersfoot |Fail |Fail |Pass Tenby North |Fail |Fail |Fail Tenby South |Pass |Fail |Pass Broadhaven |Pass |Pass |Pass Newgale |Pass |Pass |Pass Whitesands |Pass |Pass |Pass Newport |Pass |Pass |Pass Newquay |Pass |Pass |Pass Aberystwyth South |Fail |Fail |Pass Aberystwyth North |Pass |Pass |Pass Borth |Pass |Pass |Pass Tywyn |Pass |Pass |Pass Fairbourne |Pass |Pass |Pass Barmouth |Pass |Pass |Pass Llandanwg |Pass |Pass |Pass Harlech |Pass |Pass |Pass Morfa Bychan |Fail |Fail |Pass Criccieth |Fail |Fail |Pass Pwllheli |Pass |Pass |Pass Abersoch |Pass |Pass |Fail Morfa Dinlle No Survey Pass Trearddur Bay |Fail |Fail |Pass Benllech |Fail |Fail |Pass Llandudno West Shore |Fail |Fail |Fail Llandudno North |Pass |Pass |Pass Colwyn Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Kinmel Bay |Fail |Fail |Fail Rhyl |Fail |Fail |Fail Prestatyn |Pass |Pass |Pass Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland Magilligan |Pass |Pass |Pass Castlerock |Pass |Fail |Pass Portstewart |Pass |Pass |Pass Portrush (Mill Strand) |<1>Pass |<1>Pass |Pass Portrush (Curran Strand) |<1>Pass |<1>Pass |Pass Ballycastle |Fail |Fail |Fail Brown's Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Helen's Bay |Pass |Pass |Pass Crawfordsburn |Pass |Pass |Pass Ballyholme |Fail |Fail |Pass Groomsport |Pass |Fail |Pass Millisle |Pass |Pass |Pass Tyrella |Pass |Pass |Pass Newcastle |Fail |Fail |Fail Cranfield (Nicholsons Strand) |<1>Pass |<1>Pass |Pass Cranfield (Cranfield Bay) |<1>Pass |<1>Pass |Pass <1> Although these bathing waters were newly identified in 1988, the sites were sampled in 1987, Portrush (Mill Strand) and Portrush ( Curran Strand) as part of Portrush, and Cranfield (Nicholsons Strand) and Cranfield (Cranfield Bay) as part of Cranfield.
Mr. Spearing : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will tabulate in the Official Report the current and proposed levels of value added tax required or suggested by the Council, or the Commission of the European Economic Community, in respect of the supply and disposal of water and services for each connected thereto, together with estimates made by Her Majesty's Government in respect of both net and gross amounts paid, or received, consequential to the imposition of such taxes.
Mr. Lilley : I have been asked to reply.
The Council has neither required nor suggested particular levels of VAT on water and sewerage services. Under the Commission's proposals for approximating rates of VAT in the Community, water would be taxed at a rate of between 4 and 9 per cent. Sewerage services would be taxed at a rate of between 14 and 20 per cent., assuming that they are not regarded as synonymous with "water". The theoretical annual revenue yield from supplies other than to industry would be some £25 million to £75 million in respect of water and some £175 million to £250 million in respect of sewerage services. Changes to EC tax law require unanimity. The Government have, of course, made it clear that they consider tax approximation to be unnecessary for the completion of the single market.
Mr. O'Brien : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the basis on which the grant
Column 576
to Alaska works in Southwark was made ; what special factors made the award a priority ; and if he will make a statement.Mr. Trippier [holding answer 20 February 1989] : The Alaska works project has been offered city grant of £4,162,000. It has been appraised by the Department and conforms to the guidelines set out in the city grant guidance notes, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Detailed information provided in the course of the city grant appraisal is commercially confidential.
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many of the lease and leaseback schemes concerning housing development submitted by local authorities following his announcement on 9 March 1988 he (a) has approved, (b) has turned down and (c) is yet to consider.
Mr. Gummer [holding answer 17 February 1989] : My right hon. Friend had by 7 February 1989 received 499 applications for additional capital allocations under the schemes introduced following his announcement on 9 March 1988. A total of 138 have been approved, 78 were premature or have been withdrawn or were unnecessary, and 171 had been refused. Thirty- nine applications were awaiting further information from the applicant local authority and 73 were under consideration in the Department. Fifty one of the successful and 33 of the unsuccessful applications primarily related to housing.
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the results of his Department's review of homelessness legislation ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Trippier [holding answer 17 February 1989] : I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Tottenham (Mr. Grant) on 17 January at column 150.
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will be issuing a consultation paper as a result of his review into homelessness legislation ; and if he will be bringing forward legislation as a result of this review.
Mr. Trippier [holding answer 17 February 1989] : The review is not yet complete. When it is, I will decide on consultation.
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether payments for leaseback of flats to public sector bodies under section 100 of the Housing Act 1988 will count as prescribed expenditure under the Local Government (Prescribed Expenditure) (Amendment) Regulation 1988 (SI, 1988, No. 434) ; and if he will make a statement.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley [holding answer 17 February 1989] : I will write to the hon. Member.
Column 577
Mr. Gordon Brown : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the numbers of (a) trading standards officers and (b) environmental health officers employed in 1978 and 1988.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley [holding answer 17 February 1989] : Trading standards officers and environmental health officers are employed by local authorities. The available information is contained in "Trading Standards Statistics" and "Environmental Health Statistics" pub-lished by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what inherited Greater London council services are still the responsibility of the London residuary body ; and what is the timetable for disposal.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley [holding answer 17 February 1989] : Hampstead Heath is due to be transferred to the corporation of the City of London on 31 March 1989. The London residuary body expects to complete most of its remaining GLC-related work by 1 April 1990. The superannuation fund and staff compensation are still the responsibility of the London residuary body. In addition, the LRB currently retains responsibility for a number of financial rights and liabilities.
Mr. Shore : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what contribution to the housing revenue account the Tower Hamlets council has made from its rate fund in each year since 1979 ; and what is his estimate of the average subsidy per week that this represents.
Mr. Ridley [holding answer 16 February 1989] : Tower Hamlets informs me that it has made the following rate fund revenue account contributions to its housing revenue account each year since 1979. These contributions are also expressed as average weekly amounts, by dividing them by 52.
|£ million |Average subsidy per week |£'000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1979-80<1> |9.557 |184 1980-81<1> |12.377 |238 1981-82<2> |10.279 |198 1982-83<2> |6.661 |128 1983-84 |13.887 |267 1984-85 |15.143 |291 1985-86 |13.003 |250 1986-87<3> |44.489 |856 1987-88 |43.044 |828 1988-89<4> |32.893 |633 <1> including local authority contributions to rent rebates (standard amount), all allowances in excess of the standard amount and the cost of administering the rent rebate scheme. <2> including rent rebates allowances in excess of the standard amount and the cost of administering the rent rebate scheme. <3> in July 1985 Tower Hamlets took responsibility for approxi-mately 30,000 GLC Council dwellings. <4> budgeted amount.
Column 578
Mr. Cryer : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state the amount of money he proposes to grant over each of the next two years to the water boards for anti-pollution measures, listing the works scheduled for implementation under this grant aid.
Mr. Moynihan [holding answer 16 February 1989] : Water authorities are self-financing bodies and are generally required to recover the costs of their services through charges, borrowing and internally generated funds. The Government do not provide grant aid, although grants are available under the Rural Water Supply and Sewerage Acts of 1944 and 1971 and the Industrial Development Act 1982 but only for the first-time provision of sewerage. Some authorities have received grant aid from the European regional development fund for pollution control and other aspects of their operations.
Mr. Butler : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, pursuant to his answer of 13 February, the regular bacteriological tests of the air conditioning system and the standby generator serving the underground car park have the potential to identify (a) legionella and (b) similar organisms.
Mr. Chope [holding answer 16 February 1989] : Yes. The regular bacteriological sampling counts all aerobic and anaerobic bacteria present. Tests for specific bacteria such as legionella would be done only if the general bacteriological count gave cause for concern.
Mr. Paice : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements exist to require the disclosure of financial interests in specific topics by parish councillors.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley [holding answer 16 February 1989] : The provisions of sections 94 to 98 and 105 of the Local Government Act 1972 require members of local authorities, including parish councillors, to declare pecuniary interests in any council business and, unless they receive a dispensation (in the case of parish councils, from the appropriate district council) to abstain from speaking or voting on that matter.
Mr. Paice : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the law providing protection for individuals from illegal or improper action by parish councils ; and if he will make a statement.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley [holding answer 16 February 1989] : The existing arrangements appear satisfactory. Parish councils, like other local authorities, must act within the law and are subject to the supervision of their auditor and the courts. Any local government elector for the parish may raise matters with which he or she is dissatisfied at the parish meeting.
Column 579
Mr. Harry Barnes : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many kilometres of rivers in Derbyshire are adversely affected by discharges from abandoned mines ; and what
representations he has received asking him to bring such discharges under the control of a responsible body.
Mr. Moynihan [holding answer 15 February 1989] : I understand that up to 60 km of rivers in Derbyshire may be adversely affected by discharges from abandoned mines.
I am aware of the concern which has been expressed about the problems caused by these discharges in some areas. It will be for the National Rivers Authority--as the
Column 580
responsible body for regulating all discharges to water--to tackle these problems where the discharges are preventing the achievement of river quality objectives.Mr. Blunkett : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the aggregate Exchequer grant paid to local authorities in England for each financial year since 1978-79, broken down by standard economic region showing Greater London separately from the rest of the south-east (a) in cash terms and, (b) at 1988-89 prices.
Mr. Gummer [holding answer 15 February 1989] : The information available is as follows :
Column 579
|c|(a) Aggregate Exchequer Grant-cash terms|c| £ million |1981-82|1982-83|1983-84|1984-85|1985-86|1986-87|1987-88|1988-89 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South East |3,627 |3,789 |3,756 |3,795 |3,784 |3,960 |4,103 |4,242 Greater London |1,942 |2,138 |2,059 |2,035 |2,177 |2,315 |2,447 |2,697 South East excluding Greater London |1,685 |1,651 |1,697 |1,760 |1,607 |1,645 |1,656 |1,545 South West |899 |921 |932 |975 |959 |960 |1,016 |1,085 East Anglia |351 |363 |369 |382 |369 |381 |411 |408 West Midlands |1,111 |1,155 |1,263 |1,300 |1,281 |1,357 |1,405 |1,409 East Midlands |870 |883 |920 |1,039 |953 |924 |998 |1,027 North West |1,809 |1,840 |1,916 |1,963 |2,001 |1,999 |2,159 |2,266 Yorkshire and Humberside |1,350 |1,395 |1,441 |1,538 |1,469 |1,455 |1,609 |1,674 Northern Region |914 |888 |923 |946 |959 |915 |1,032 |1,082 |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|------- Total |10,931 |11,234 |11,520 |11,938 |11,775 |11,951 |12,733 |13,193
|c|(b) Aggregate Exchequer Grant-1988-89 prices|c| £ million |1981-82|1982-83|1983-84|1984-85|1985-86|1986-87|1987-88|1988-89 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South East |5,201 |5,071 |4,808 |4,623 |4,374 |4,429 |4,359 |4,242 Greater London |2,784 |2,861 |2,636 |2,479 |2,516 |2,589 |2,600 |2,697 South East excluding Greater London |2,417 |2,210 |2,172 |2,144 |1,858 |1,840 |1,759 |1,545 South West |1,289 |1,232 |1,193 |1,188 |1,109 |1,074 |1,080 |1,085 East Anglia |503 |486 |472 |466 |426 |426 |437 |408 West Midlands |1,593 |1,546 |1,617 |1,584 |1,481 |1,518 |1,493 |1,409 East Midlands |1,247 |1,181 |1,178 |1,266 |1,102 |1,034 |1,060 |1,027 North West |2,594 |2,462 |2,453 |2,391 |2,313 |2,236 |2,294 |2,266 Yorkshire and Humberside |1,936 |1,867 |1,844 |1,874 |1,698 |1,628 |1,710 |1,674 Northern Region |1,310 |1,188 |1,182 |1,153 |1,108 |1,023 |1,096 |1,082 |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|------- Total |15,673 |15,033 |14,747 |14,545 |13,611 |13,368 |13,529 |13,193
Information is not available on a comparable basis for years prior to 1981- 82. Cash values have been converted to constant 1988-89 prices using the GDP deflator.
Mr. Teddy Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to offer derogations from the European Economic Community regulations on nitrate pollution to private water companies ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Moynihan [holding answer 16 February 1989] : We have no plans to grant to private water companies derogations from the nitrate standard of the EC drinking water directive.
Column 580
Mr. Dewar : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many teachers there are in primary schools in rural areas in Scotland at the latest date for which figures are available ; and how many there were in 1979.
Mr. Rifkind : I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Ayr (Mr. Younger) to the hon. Member in answer to this question on 25 July 1985 at column 697 . The most recent information on the number of teachers in primary schools by education authority is contained in SED statistical bulletin No. 1/B1/1988. Copies of this and earlier bulletins on the same subject are available in the Library.
Column 581
Mr. Dewar : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many primary schools in rural areas in Scotland have been closed since 1979.
Mr. Rifkind : Rural areas are not defined for statistical purposes.
Mr. Nigel Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the proportion of broadleaves of the total planting in Scotland by (a) the Forestry Commission and (b) private sector companies in the year 1987-88.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Broadleaves made up 8.3 per cent. of the Forestry Commission's planting and 6.7 per cent. of grant-aided planting by the private sector during this period. Separate figures for the forestry companies are not available.
Mr. Nigel Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the value of the planting grants made to the private forestry sector in Caithness and Sutherland for each year since 1979 ; and if he will reprice the figures for inflation.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The information is given in the table :
Year to 31 March |Planting grants paid (£|Planting grants paid (£ |thousands) |thousands revalued to |1988 equivalents) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1980 |14 |24 1981 |34 |50 1982 |124 |167 1983 |137 |173 1984 |470 |564 1985 |338 |385 1986 |691 |746 1987 |808 |848 1988 |604 |604
Mr. Nigel Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the value of the planting grants made to the private forestry sector in Scotland for each year since 1979 ; and if he will reprice the figures for inflation.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The information is given in the table :
Year toConservancy<1> (£ Conservancy<1> (£ thousands) thousands revalued to 1988 equivalents) ------------------------------------------------------------ |North|East |South|West |North|East |South|West 1982 |66 |62 |37 |55 |89 |83 |49 |74 1983 |49 |64 |34 |58 |62 |81 |43 |73 1984 |61 |74 |150 |67 |73 |88 |179 |80 1985 |70 |60 |53 |88 |80 |68 |60 |101 |North|Mid |South |North|Mid |South 1986 |88 |156 |10 |95 |168 |108 1987 |112 |126 |148 |117 |132 |155 1988 |192 |258 |295 |192 |258 |295 <1>The former East Scotland Conservancy was assimilated into the North and Mid Scotland Conservancies in 1985.
Mr. Nigel Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the sums spent on visitor facilities in each of the three conservancies, north Scotland, mid-Scotland and south Scotland in each year since 1979 ; and if he will reprice the figures for inflation.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The information, which is available only from 1981-82 onwards, is set out in the table :
Column 581
Year toConservancy<1> (£ Conservancy<1> (£ thousands) thousands revalued to 1988 equivalents) ------------------------------------------------------------ |North|East |South|West |North|East |South|West 1982 |66 |62 |37 |55 |89 |83 |49 |74 1983 |49 |64 |34 |58 |62 |81 |43 |73 1984 |61 |74 |150 |67 |73 |88 |179 |80 1985 |70 |60 |53 |88 |80 |68 |60 |101 |North|Mid |South |North|Mid |South 1986 |88 |156 |10 |95 |168 |108 1987 |112 |126 |148 |117 |132 |155 1988 |192 |258 |295 |192 |258 |295 <1>The former East Scotland Conservancy was assimilated into the North and Mid Scotland Conservancies in 1985.
The figures cover the full range of visitor facilities. The figures I provided to the hon. Member on 20 November 1987 at column 537-38 covered only those categories of facilities which included forest walks and footpaths.
Next Section
| Home Page |